Top Ten Signs You're Pregnant

We've all heard stories from women who just knew they were pregnant from the moment of conception. The rest of us, however, are left to rely on other - less intuitive - means of determining if there's a baby on the way.

Here's our list of the Top Ten Signs you may be pregnant (but if you want to cut to the chase and find out for sure, home pregnancy tests can help you confirm your suspicions). Please keep in mind that, while the signs described here are quite common in early pregnancy, you may not experience all - or even any - of these symptoms. See also > Pregnancy Symptoms 101: Symptoms by Trimester

1. Missed Your Period? This is the classic sign of pregnancy - especially if, like many women, your cycles are typically like clockwork. If you've missed your period, it's probably time to take a home pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests work by determining the amount of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) present in your urine. Remember - your first urine of the day tends to have the most concentrated amount of hCG. Early morning urine will give you your best chance at detecting the small concentrations of hCG that are present in the early days of pregnancy. 2. Feeling Sick in the Morning - Or Any Other Time? About one-half of all pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness (nausea, vomiting, etc.) in early pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, "morning" sickness isn't always limited to morning; many women experience nausea in the evening, in the afternoon - and a substantial percentage of lucky ladies feel sick all day. (Note: Although rare, morning sickness can be extreme in some cases. Contact your doctor if are becoming dehydrated as a result of morning sickness.)

3. Are Your Breasts Sore? Are your breasts or nipples feeling a bit sensitive - perhaps in the same way they feel right before you have your period? This is one more sign that you may be pregnant. Breast sensitivity is a common phenomenon in early pregnancy - and thankfully, one that begins to fade by the second trimester. But if you're one of those "glass is half full" types, look at it this way: for many women, sensitive breasts translate into heightened pleasure during intimate moments…

4. Checked Your Areola Lately? Along with more sensitive breasts, you may notice a slight darkening of the areola, the concentric zone which surrounds the nipple. (Some say this darkening serves a purpose; it makes it easier for your baby to find his/her food source!)

5. Honorable Discharge? In the early days of pregnancy, mucous begins to accumulate around the opening of the cervix to form the mucous plug, a barrier that helps protect the baby during its development. As a result of this mucous formation, you may notice a bit of vaginal discharge. (Discharge as a sign of pregnancy should not be accompanied by other distinguishing features of an infection, such as a burning sensation, foul smell, or itchiness.)

6. Gotta Pee? Although pregnancy is indeed miraculous, it does not involve a suspension of the laws of physics. That means that as the baby grows larger in your uterus, the space that once allowed for expansion of your bladder is decreased. The result? You feel like you need to pee more often. Also, you may notice bloating similar to what you experience prior to your period.

7. Not Tonight, Honey. I've Got a Headache... As a result of the complex mixture of hormones coursing through a pregnant woman's body, it's not uncommon for women to experience headaches more frequently during pregnancy.

8. Seeing Spots? Around the time when implantation occurs (the moment when the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterine wall), it's not uncommon to notice a bit of spotting. You would look for this sign at around eight to ten days after you last ovulated. (You can use the ovulation calculator located on our home page to calculate your ovulation date.) Spotting as a result of implantation usually looks a bit different than your regular period; it tends to be light in volume and pinkish in color, as opposed to the deep red color associated with regular menstrual bleeding. 9. Temperature Climbing? A raised basal body temperature past the time when your period is due is another possible indicator of pregnancy.

10. All Stopped Up? Another sign of pregnancy is constipation. This is caused by certain hormones which are present in early pregnancy relaxing your intestines and slowing the digestive process.

These signs are ones often experienced in early pregnancy - but that's not to say there aren't others. Many women have reported experiencing other "tell-tale" signs such as:

an enhanced sense of smell

fatigue

hunger

weepiness

heartburn

complexion problems ("breaking out")

Once you suspect you are pregnant, home pregnancy tests can confirm you suspicions. For FDA Approved pregnancy tests that allow you to begin detecting pregnancy at around 7-10 days past ovulation, please click here.

Comments

Hi

My last period date was january 26, i didnt have my period for a month and two weeks. but Iam having slight stomachpain aand backpain..mild temperature too...March starting two days i had white discharge..am i pregnant?had undergone medication for cold and fever in the month of february(benadryl syrup adnd dcuff) is it because of it?delay in periods?

So my husband and I have been trying to concieve since 8/12. We have been tracking ovulation. I just ovulated march 4. Had intercourse on this day and 2 days prior. Its is now march 11 my period isn't due until March 19, however I am experiencing headaches sore breasts bloating wanting to eat everything and clear discharge. I took a home test on march 8 but like we expected it was negative. Could I still be pregnant and its just too early to show on a test

I'm 20 years old I didn't have my period for about 4 or 5 months, but my boyfriend and I was planning on having kid's,I was kinda worried that I wasn't ovulating,but even though my period didn't come on I have experience cramping. Now me and my boyfriend had unproductive sex he did cum in me,and we did it more then once,but about two weeks after we had sex I was still cramping but no period! Then out of nowhere my period came on. I was cramping harder then I ever did,my period was light for two days then it got heavy,but it only last for about 3 or 4 days my periods always stays on for 5 day's,now about a week after later out of nowhere I got very sick and the next day, on top of that I had a sharp pains in my va jay jay, and it even hurts when I use the bathroom my doctor want answer my question, could I still be pregnant? Or get pregnant? I'm so worried ..

Okay so I'm fifteen and I had sex on valentines day. Me and my boyfriend have been dating a while so we felt like it was good timing well we did and I had never had sex before and neither had he. So we did a few times that night and we didnt use a condom but he pulled out when he came. We thought we were good. Well a few days after I started feeling very nauseous, bloated, and my boobs were not feeling or looking the same, and it burned to pee and I felt the need to pee every five seconds literally. Then a few more days later I had frequent sickness through out the day. We worried that I was pregnant but we don't know still my period was late but I'm not really sure if it was my period cause I didn't get cramps just light blood. But again this is only a week after and then we had sec again... Could I be pregnant.

Please help... me and my fiance have been having unprotected sex for 1yr and 8 mths....and ive always had regular periods, started the same day every month and last about 4 to 5 days....also the week before my peroid would start my breast would hurt...last time we had sex was 2 weeks ago today, and my period started Monday the 25th of Feb, and went its normal 4 to 5 days and my breast quit hurting like normal, well the day that i went all day done, and then that night it was like it started again and has been going on since today March 5th, and my breast are starting to hurt again, im very worried and dont know whats going on or what to do.....its been 8 days of missery....also last friday while this so called second period went on i threw thinking i had the flu it went on the next day....ive always had back problems, and they seem to be bothering me more, also feeling like i want to vomitt when i lay on my stomach, and tired all the time. also been having a lot of headaches....someone please tell me whats going on...im scared....

i had my last period Jan. 29,2013 and it lasted until Feb.1,2013...been waiting for my period for the month of Feb since my last period was January... Im not certain if Im pregnant but i feel like unusual feelings such as heartburn,breastsore, abdominal pain...i don't feel like using PT cos im afraid of the result...

Me and my husband had intercourse about 2 weeks ago three days in a row he came in me all three times and a couple days later I started my period and I thought it was just a normal period but only lasted 2 and a half days and mainly just spotting when I normally have period for 6 days never any less and my breasts have been tender lately and I recently have been getting sick I can't stay out of the bathroom am I pregnant??

I was off my pills for awhile in January I had sex a week before I had my monthly. I should of gotten my monthly the end of Feb to being of march its the first week of march should I be worry? I took a pregnancy test on the first of this month should I take another one in a couple of weeks?

Hey.... Uhm I'm 19 years old and I'm beyond confused me and my bf was just like making out and oral sex and stuff and but he came in my undies.... Then he (sorry 4 the detail) he fingered me....(And the cum was presnt)... this was about 2-3 weeks ago.... Recently I've been throwin up allot not only in the mornings... But it comes and Goes I'm constipated,feverish,painful nipples and boobs yoh and the headaches... and spotting.... But friday night I had a blot like 4 30 mins I wasn't spotting I was bleeding.... Then it stopped.... could i be pregnant? is it really possible?....I'm very confused please comment mwah